Melanie Brewster, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University, earned her Ph.D from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on marginalized groups and examines how experiences of discrimination and stigma may shape the mental health of minority group members (e.g., LGBTQ individuals, atheists, people of color). Dr. Brewster also examines potential resilience factors, such as bicultural self-efficacy and cognitive flexibility, that may promote the mental health of minority individuals. To date, most of her research has centered on the experiences of sexual minority people. Specifically, Dr. Brewster has focused on groups who occupy the "margins of marginalized populations" -- including bisexual individuals, queer people of color, and transgender persons. Her first book, Atheists in America, is due out June 2014 from Columbia University Press.

Presented annually by the Association for Women in Psychology (AWP) and the Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35 of APA) to the best paper that advances scholarship with women of color.

2012 Psychotherapy with Women Award

Presented annually by the Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35 of APA) to a manuscript on the broad topic on psychotherapy with women on the basis of scholarly rigor, clinical impact, theoretical creativity and innovation, methodological skills, clarity and style of presentation, in addition to its relevance and importance to psychotherapy with women.

2011Outstanding Major Contribution Award

Presented annually in recognition of the most outstanding Major Contribution published in The Counseling Psychologist

2011Barbara Kirk Award

The Barbara A. Kirk Award is presented annually by the American Psychological Association Society of Counseling Psychology in recognition of outstanding student-initiated research

2011 Award for Distinguished Student Contribution

Presented annually by the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues (Division 44 of the American Psychological Association) to a graduate student in psychology who has made a distinguished contribution to research or practice, or who has performed exceptional service to the Division. Recipients of this award represent the future of this Division, and have taken leadership early in their careers to advance LGBT issues in psychology.

2011 Outstanding Counseling Psychology Graduate Student Award

University of Florida Psychology Department; conferred annually upon a doctoral student in counseling psychology for excellence in research and professional work

41. Jones, K.N., & Brewster, M.E. (August, 2014). Activism
and Advocacy: Reconceptualizing What it Means to be an LGBTQ Ally. Roundtable
to be presented at the annual meeting of American Psychological Association,
Washington, DC.

Yes! I will be accepting one doctoral student for Fall 2014. No need to email me to express your interest. I look forward to reviewing your applications. LGBTQ-identified students, please consider applying for this scholarship through TC.

CCPJ 4064: Theories of Counseling

CCPJ 5062: Career Counseling and Development

General concepts of career development and methods of assessment in career counseling. This course also highlights various issues related to the career development of diverse client populations in light of contemporary socio-political phenomena. Materials fee: $40.

CCPJ 5371: Foundations of counseling

Permission required. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: For majors section, admission into the Ed.M. program in Psychological Counseling or Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology, CCPJ 4064 completed or taken concurrently; for non-majors section, CCPJ 4064 recommended but not required. A laboratory experience for counselors and others in the helping professions. Practice in clarifying, understanding, and responding to personal communications. Graduated exercises and videotapes are used to develop counseling and interviewing skills and desirable counselor attitudes. Special fee: $30.

CCPJ 5372: Foundations of counseling skills II

Permission required. Limited Enrollment. Continuing laboratory experience for helping professionals in further development of basic counseling skills with emphasis on increasing ones self-awareness and self-reflective ability. Practice and experience in attending, influencing and helping skills through in-class discussions, experiential activities, weekly journals, and counseling/clinical integration. Exploring assets and defenses that may facilitate or hinder therapeutic transactions.

CCPJ 8900: Dissertation Advisement

Individual advisement on doctoral dissertation. Fee to equal 3 points at current tuition rate for each term.

Atheists in America: Narratives from an Invisible Minority is a book that aspires to tell the stories of diverse individuals who identify as atheist in the increasingly conservative religious climate of the United States.

Centers and Projects

Founded in 2012, the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Project (SWG) was created to envision and implement the next wave of theories and practices to improve well-being in persons at the intersection of the above identities and social locations. This forum is located at Teachers College, Columbia University, a world-renowned training ground for the next generation of educators, researchers, practitioners, administrators, and activists. SWG’s mission is to play a vital role in the creation of research initiatives, innovative curriculum, and institutional programming on campus and with partners beyond.